Method of mounting a module to a land grid array (LGA)

ABSTRACT

A method of mounting a module to a land grid array is provided. The method includes installing a tool to a fixture. The tool includes at least one alignment member and at least one cavity partially defined by the at least one alignment member. The at least one cavity of the tool is aligned with one or more corresponding sockets of the land grid array. The method further includes installing a module through the cavity such that the module is substantially aligned with the socket as it is connected to the land grid array.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/170,996, which was filed Jun. 2, 2016. The entire contents of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/170,996 are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to land grid arrays, and moreparticularly to the installation of modules within the sockets of a landgrid array.

Area array socket connectors are an evolving technology in which anelectrical interconnection between mating surface is provided through aconductive interposer. One significant application of this technology isthe socketing of land grid array (LGA) modules directly to a printedwiring board in which the electrical connection is achieved by aligningthe contact array of the two mating surfaces and the interpose, and thenmechanically compressing the interposer. LGA socket assemblies arecommonly used today in the electronics industry to attach single-chipmodules or multi-chip modules to printed wiring boards.

The surface of the module that connects to the printed wiring boardincludes thousands of contact landing pads that attach to the circuitswithin the module. The electrical contactors of the module need to bealigned with corresponding electrical connection points on the printedwiring board to yield desired operation of the circuits. Successfulinstallation of these modules without damage to the fragile contactstypically requires a skilled operator using a hand tool to keep themodule level and aligned during the installation operation.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present invention provides a module installationassembly for installing a module into a socket of a land grid arrayincludes a tool having a mounting bracket for connecting the tool to anadjacent fixture, an alignment member connected to the mounting bracket,and cavity defined at least partially by the alignment member. Thecavity is substantially aligned with a socket of the land grid arraysuch that the module is configured to pass through the cavity when beingconnected to the socket.

In one aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a methodof mounting a module to a land grid array includes installing a tool toa fixture. The tool includes at least one alignment member and at leastone cavity partially defined by the at least one alignment member. Theat least one cavity of the tool is aligned with one or morecorresponding sockets of the land grid array. A module is installedthrough the cavity such that the module is substantially aligned withthe socket as it is connected to the land grid array.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the invention will be readilyunderstood, a more particular description of the invention brieflydescribed above will be rendered by reference to specific embodimentsthat are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that thesedrawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are nottherefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the inventionwill be described and explained with additional specificity and detailthrough the use of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a tool of a module alignmentassembly used during installation of one or more modules according to anembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the tool of FIG. 1 in an inactiveposition according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the tool of FIG. 1 in an activeposition according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of another tool of a module alignmentassembly used during installation of one or more modules according to anembodiment;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the module alignment assemblyaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a view of the coupled first and second tools of the modulealignment assembly according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a hand tool positioned within a cavitydefined by the module alignment assembly according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Citation of “a specific embodiment” or a similar expression in thespecification means that specific features, structures, orcharacteristics described in the specific embodiments are included in atleast one specific embodiment of the present invention. Hence, thewording “in a specific embodiment” or a similar expression in thisspecification does not necessarily refer to the same specificembodiment.

Hereinafter, the present invention and various embodiments of thepresent invention will be described in more detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings. Nevertheless, it should be understood that thepresent invention could be modified by those skilled in the art inaccordance with the following description to achieve the excellentresults of the present invention. Therefore, the following descriptionshall be considered as a pervasive and explanatory disclosure related tothe present invention for those skilled in the art, not intended tolimit the claims of the present invention.

Citation of “an embodiment”, “a certain embodiment” or a similarexpression in the specification means that related features, structures,or characteristics described in the embodiment are included in at leastone embodiment of the present invention. Hence, the wording “in aembodiment”, “in a certain embodiment” or a similar expression in thisspecification does not necessarily refer to the same specificembodiment.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a module alignment assembly 20 configured toaid an operator during installation of one or more modules is shown. Themodule alignment assembly 20 includes a first tool 30 having a mountingbracket 32 and one or more alignment members 34 supported by themounting bracket 32. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, thetool 30 includes two end mounting brackets 32 a, a central mountingbracket 32 b, and six alignment members 34; however it should beunderstood that a tool 30 having any number of alignment members 34 andmounting brackets 32 is within the scope of the disclosure. The totalnumber of alignment members 34 included may, but need not, correspond tothe total number of modules to be installed on a component, or at aportion of a component.

In an embodiment, at least one of the mounting brackets 32 includes apin 36 configured to define an axis X about which the tool 30 can rotaterelative to an adjacent component. However, it should be understood thatembodiments where each of the alignment members 34 is configured torotate individually are also within the scope of the disclosure.

The first tool 30 is configured such that each of the plurality ofalignment members 34 is positioned adjacent a corresponding socket 42 ofa land grid array 40. Although the plurality of alignment members 34 areillustrated in the FIGS. as being arranged in a linear configuration,other configurations of the alignment members 34, such as where thealignment members extend in two directions, such as along both an X anda Y axis for example, are also contemplated. In addition, the pluralityof alignment members 34 may be substantially identical, oralternatively, may vary based on the type of module associated with eachalignment member 34.

Each alignment member 34 of the first tool 30 is configured to define acorresponding cavity 38 through which a module is passed when beingmounted to a land grid array 40. Each cavity 38 is aligned with acorresponding socket 42, and is generally complementary in size andshape to a corresponding module, or alternatively, to a hand tool 44 forhandling the module (see FIG. 7). In an embodiment, each cavity 38 isslightly larger in size than the hand tool 44 to provide the minimalclearance necessary to allow the hand tool 44 containing the module topass through the cavity 38 towards the land grid array 40.

With respect to the first tool 30, each cavity 38 is defined between analignment member 34 and at least one adjacent component of the tool 30.In embodiments where the tool 30 includes a plurality of alignmentmembers 34, the adjacent component may be selected from anotheralignment member 34 and a portion of the mounting bracket 32 arranged atan end of the tool 30.

In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the alignment members 34include a cross member 46 and a first and second end member 47, 48arranged at opposite ends of the cross member 46. The cross member 46extends in a first direction and the first and second end members 47, 48extend in the same second direction, at an angle to the cross member 46.The first end member 47 and the second end member 48 may extend the samedistance or a different distance in the second direction from the crossmember 46. In embodiments where the first and second end members 47, 48extend generally perpendicular to the cross-member 46, as shown in FIGS.1-3, the alignment member 34 has a generally C-shaped configuration suchthat a portion of the cavity 38 is defined between the first and secondend members 47, 48 and the cross member 46. The plurality of alignmentmembers 34 may be integrally formed, such as at one of the end membersfor example, or may be separately attached to the one or more mountingbrackets 32.

To use the tool 30 as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the tool 30 is connected to anadjacent component of a fixture so that the cavity 38 associated witheach alignment member 34 is substantially aligned with a correspondingsocket 42 of a land grid array 40. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each ofthe sockets 42 has a cover 50 attached thereto to prevent damage to thepins of the land grid array 40 and to prevent debris from collectingbetween the pins. Prior to installing a module, an operator will rotatethe tool 30 about the rotational axis X of the mounting brackets 32 froman active position parallel to the land grid array 40, to an inactiveposition (as shown in FIG. 2) arranged at an angle to the land gridarray 40. The tool 30 or the component to which the tool 30 is rotatablymounted may, but need not include a mechanism, such as a latch or amagnet for example, for retaining the tool 30 in the inactive position.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, when in the inactive position,the tool 30 is arranged generally vertically such that the tool 30 doesnot interfere with an operator's access to the sockets 42 of the landgrid array 40. When the tool 30 is in the inactive position, theoperator may easily prepare a socket 42 for receiving a module byremoving the cover 50 therefrom to expose the pins. An operator thenrotates the tool 30 in an opposite direction about rotational axis X toreturn the tool 30 to the active position. In the active position, anoperator may insert a hand tool 44 containing a module, as shown in FIG.7, through a cavity associated with the socket 42 where the cover 50 wasremoved. Due to the limited clearance between the hand tool 44 and thecavity 38, the hand tool 44, and therefore, the module is aligned withthe socket 42 within an acceptable tolerance, as the module is installedtherein.

With reference now to FIGS. 4-7, the module alignment assembly 20 mayinclude a second tool 60 in addition to, or in place of the first tool30 for aiding in the installation of modules on a land grid array 40. Asshown in FIG. 4, the second tool 60 includes a base 62 and a pluralityof second alignment members 64 extending from the base 62. As shown, thebase 62 and the plurality of second alignment members 64 are integrallyformed; however embodiments, where the plurality of second alignmentmembers 64 connect to the base 62, are also contemplated. In theillustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the second alignment members 64are arranged in pairs and the tool 60 includes a plurality of pairs, forexample, two pairs of second alignment members 64. Each of the pairs ofsecond alignment members 64 may be substantially identical, oralternatively, may vary based on the type of module associated with eachpair. As shown, the plurality of pairs extends from the base 62 in thesame direction; however the second alignment members 64 may be arrangedin other configurations.

Each pair of second alignment members 64 is configured to define acorresponding cavity 66 there between through which a module to bemounted is passed when being connected to a socket 42. Each cavity 66 isgenerally complementary in size and shape to a corresponding module, oralternatively, to a hand tool 44 for handling the module. In anembodiment, each cavity 66 defined by the second alignment members 64 isslightly larger in size than the hand tool 44 to provide the minimalclearance necessary to allow the tool 44 holding the module to passthrough the cavity 66 towards the socket 42. The second tool 60 may beconfigured to connect to an adjacent component of a fixture so that thecavity 66 associated with each pair of second alignment members 64 issubstantially aligned with a corresponding socket 42 of a land gridarray 40.

In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the secondtool 60 is configured to removably couple directly to the first tool 30.When the second tool 60 is coupled to the first tool 30, the first toolis unable to rotate about its axis X. In the embodiment illustrated,when the first and second tools 30, 60 are connected, the base 62 of thesecond tool 60 is in overlapping arrangement with the second end member48 of the first alignment members 34. As a result, the plurality offirst alignment members 34 extends in a first direction, and theplurality of second alignment members 64 extends in a second oppositedirection.

With reference to FIGS. 4-6, a connection tab 68 extends outwardly fromthe base 62 in a direction opposite the second alignment members 64. Apin or dowel 70 mounted to the connection tab 68 extends at an anglethereto. As shown, for example, in FIG. 6, in an embodiment, the pin 70extends perpendicular to the connection tab 68, such that the pin 70 isarranged generally vertically and is supported on a surface 72 adjacentthe land grid array 40. In an embodiment, when the first and second toolare coupled, the pin 70 is received within an opening 74 (FIG. 1) formedbetween the second end member 48 of a first alignment member 34 and thecross-member 46 of an adjacent first alignment member 34. Referringagain to FIG. 5, when the first and second tools 30, 60 are coupled, thepin 70 is received about a spring 76. The pin 70 is configured tocompress the spring 76 a necessary amount to move a component 78adjacent to and associated with the spring 76 to a position that doesnot interfere with an operator's access to the sockets 42.

When the module installation assembly 20 includes the first tool 30 andthe second tool 60, the first tool 30 may be configured for theinstallation of central processor (CP) modules, and the second tool 60may be configured for the installation of system control (SC) modules.To use the assembly 20, the first tool 30 is connected to an adjacentcomponent of a fixture so that the cavity 38 associated with eachalignment member 34 is substantially aligned with a corresponding socket42 of a land grid array 40. Prior to connecting the second tool 60 tothe first tool 30, the covers 50 are removed from the one or moresockets 42 configured to receive SC modules. The second tool 60 is thenconnected to the first tool 30 such that the cavities 66 defined by thesecond alignment members 64 are in alignment with the adjacent SCsockets 42. An operator may then insert a hand tool 44 containing amodule through each cavity 66. Due to the limited clearance between thehand tool 44 and the cavity 66, the hand tool 44, and therefore themodule is level to and aligned with the socket 42 within an acceptabletolerance. After each module associated with the second tool 60 isinstalled, the second tool 60 is disconnected from the first tool 30.

The first tool 30 is then rotated about the rotational axis X of themounting brackets 32 from an active position parallel to the land gridarray 40, to an inactive position (as shown in FIG. 2) arranged at anangle to the land grid array 40, so that an operator may remove a cover50 from one of the sockets 42 configured to receive a CP module. Afterremoval of the cover 50, the tool 30 is returned to the active positionwhere a hand tool 44 containing a CP module, is inserted through acavity 38 for connection with the exposed CP socket 42. In anembodiment, a cover 50 is removed and a CP module is installed into eachsocket 42 sequentially. Alternatively, each of the plurality of covers50 may be removed when the tool 30 is rotated to the inactive position,and then each of the plurality or CP modules may be installed when thetool 30 is returned to the active position.

Use of the module installation assembly 30 as described hereinsubstantially increases the likelihood of correctly plugging modulesinto a land grid array.

The foregoing detailed description of the embodiments is used to furtherclearly describe the features and spirit of the present invention. Theforegoing description for each embodiment is not intended to limit thescope of the present invention. All kinds of modifications made to theforegoing embodiments and equivalent arrangements should fall within theprotected scope of the present invention. Hence, the scope of thepresent invention should be explained most widely according to theclaims described thereafter in connection with the detailed description,and should cover all the possibly equivalent variations and equivalentarrangements.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of mounting a module to a land grid array comprising: installing a first tool to a fixture, the first tool including at least one alignment member and at least one cavity partially defined by the at least one alignment member, the at least one cavity of the first tool is aligned with one or more corresponding sockets of the land grid array; installing the module through the at least one cavity such that the module is substantially aligned with the socket as the module is connected to the land grid array; removing a cover from another socket of the corresponding sockets of the land grid array; removably coupling a second tool to the first tool, the second tool defining a cavity aligned with the another socket; and installing another module through the cavity of the second tool such that the another module is substantially aligned with the another socket as the another socket is connected to the land grid array.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein installing the module includes positioning a hand tool holding the module within the cavity of the second tool.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: rotating the first tool about a rotational axis from an active position to an inactive position; removing a cover from one of the corresponding sockets; and rotating the first tool to the active position.
 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the cover of the socket is removed before the module is connected to the land grid array.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the module and another module is a central processor module, and the other of the module and another module is a system control module. 